Osa Peninsula, Playa Caletas Reserve & Corcovado National Park
The tropical wet forest in the Osa Peninsula is widely considered the most species-rich in Central America. Species found here that are critically endangered or absent in the rest of the country include jaguar, American crocodile, scarlet macaw, spectacle caiman and Baird’s tapir. Harpy eagles, which are probably no longer a permanent resident in the country, have been seen on several occasions.
Right after breakfast, we went for a nature walk on the private preserve of Caletas bordering the Corcovado National Park. Soon we saw why this part of Costa Rica is considered one of the most intense biological places on the planet. During our walk, we saw a troop of spider monkeys having a confrontation with a troop of white-faced capuchin monkeys. All this happened up on the trees just above us. Another group found a couple of the endangered scarlet macaws eating the fruits and nuts of the beach almond tree right next to the trail. So close to us that we could hardly believe what we were seeing.
We went back to the ship for lunch, and the National Geographic Sea Lion repositioned for twenty minutes south, in order to drop anchor in front of the well known Corcovado National Park. Some of the guest took the waterfall trail, a short trail that leads up a nameless creek that begins just behind the ranger station. On their way to the waterfall, a crocodile was spotted in the river next to the trail. At first our guests though it was a trunk floating until it swam away very gracefully. The trail ended at a lovely waterfall, and later on this group went swimming in a river pool. This was one of the highlights of the day: taking a dip and cooling of in the middle of the rain forest, was a remarkable moment of.
The weather could not be better for our nature walks exploring one of the most remote parts of Costa Rica. It was a paradise for nature lovers.
